With shopping bills soaring, many of us are looking for more creative and cheaper alternatives to get the food we need. And if you have a garden with some space to spare, it might be easier than you think to start your own vegetable plot.
So let’s explore the essential tips for starting a vegetable garden.
How to start a vegetable garden
- Start small: If you’re completely new to maintaining a vegetable garden, then it’s best to first start small to make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself. So, make sure to select a couple of easy-to-grow vegetables and begin with a smaller plot. This way, you can get into the swing of things and learn how to successfully grow from seed to plant before moving on to more ambitious plots. It will also help you establish how much time you have to spare for maintenance of your garden and whether you can realistically take on more.
- Location: Placement plays a big part in how successfully your vegetables grow and thrive. Consider which areas of your garden receive the most sunlight as these spots are the ideal location for the plot. Areas that are too shaded or obscured could make it harder to grow healthy vegetables, so pick the sunniest area possible.
- Raised beds: Separate the vegetables from the rest of your garden with raised beds, which are a little easier to look after when compared to ordinary veg beds. Some further benefits of raised beds include fewer weeds, less soil compaction from foot traffic, better drainage, warmer soil and the ability to control the soil quality and pH more easily, as you will be the one filling it.
- Soil choice: Selecting the right soil is an important choice, and one that will have a big bearing on the output of your vegetable garden. Depending on the vegetables you choose to grow, they may have slightly different soil and fertiliser needs, so it’s important to do your research beforehand. It’s also important to purchase your soil from a quality supplier to ensure the best results. Here at Chargrace Soils, we supply a wide range of soils for any purpose, which can be delivered directly to your door.
- Deal with pests: Once you’ve planted your vegetables, you’ll then need to keep the pests at bay to guarantee healthy produce. To protect the biodiversity of your garden and the surrounding environment, it’s recommended to always try natural pest control methods first, such as introducing repellent plants into your garden or putting down repellent foodstuffs. Each different pest will likely respond to different repellents, too.
Easy Vegetables to Grow
You’re now ready to get started with your vegetable garden. So, what are the easiest vegetables to grow for a beginner?
- Salad leaves
- Courgettes
- Onions & Shallots
- Radishes
- Beans
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Beetroots
- Broccoli
- Carrots
All you need to do is pick a few plants to get going and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying freshly grown veggies straight from your garden.
Here at Chargrace Soils, we’re a leading supplier of landscaping and gardening products to homes and businesses across the UK. With our easy service, you can buy your chosen volume of soil online and we’ll get it delivered straight to your door. Simply browse our products online or get in touch with our friendly team today.